Reconsideration of Library Resources/Instructional Materials Procedure
I. Informal Reconsideration
A. Persons wishing to make a complaint regarding library resources will be asked to bring their complaint to the principal or the librarian.
B. Internet resources are not subject to reconsideration under these guidelines. The internet is largely unregulated, and not all of the information it carries is suitable for school children. Although the district subscribes to a filtering service that blocks much inappropriate material, the Technology Use Policy and the Guidelines for Acceptable Use of the Internet represent an understanding on the part of the student and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) that the School District does not control the contents of the internet.
C. Upon meeting with the complainant, the principal or librarian will first attempt to resolve the issue informally.
The identity of the complainant shall remain confidential during the informal process (only).
Commitments should not be made until the issue has been thoroughly explored.
The complaint should be treated in a courteous, objective and unemotional manner.
The principal or librarian will listen to all concerns, and try to resolve the issue informally. This might include explaining the library's selection procedures and criteria, the intended audience and educational uses of the item in question, or relevant sections of the American Library Association's Access to Resources and Services in the School Library Media Program.
If the complainant then wishes to proceed with a formal request for reconsideration, the principal will follow up the discussion with a letter. The letter will include:
the district's Selection of Instructional Materials and Reconsideration of Instructional Materials Policies
the Guidelines for the Selection of Library Resources and Collection Development Plan for the appropriate school library
the ALA's Access to Resources and Services in the School Library Media Program
the Guidelines for the Reconsideration of Library Materials and the Request for Reconsideration of Library Resources form
In the event that the complainant is the principal, the superintendent of schools will perform the role of the principal in the above process.
II. Formal Reconsideration
A. In the event of a formal request for reconsideration, these steps will be taken:
Persons wishing to make a formal request for reconsideration must complete the Request for Reconsideration of Library Resources form and submit it to the principal; in the event that more than one item is involved, a separate form must be completed for each item.
The superintendent of schools will be informed of the request for formal reconsideration.
The school's reconsideration committee will convene to reevaluate the material(s) in question.
B. Reconsideration Committee
Upon receipt of a completed Request for Reconsideration of Library Resources form, the principal will:
a. Appoint a reconsideration committee, to include the following members:
building level administrator
one member of the school teaching staff of the appropriate subject or grade level
the school's certified librarian
one member of the community
one member of the student body (if challenged material is at the Middle or High school level)
b. Name a chairperson of the consideration committee. c. Arrange for a meeting of the reconsideration committee to take place within 10 working days after the complaint is received by the principal.
2. The reconsideration committee is charged with a thorough review of the challenged resource, and will decide whether or not it conforms to the principles of selection as outlined in the Guidelines for the Selection of Library Resources and other applicable policies and guidelines.
3. The reconsideration committee may also consult other district staff and/or community members who have relevant expertise.
C. Guiding Principles
Any resident or employee of the school district may raise objection to library resources, despite the fact that the individuals who selected them were qualified to make the selection, followed the proper procedure, and observed the criteria for selecting library resources.
The principal should periodically review district policies on Selection and Reconsideration of Instructional Materials and Guidelines for the Selection of Library Resources with all staff members.
The School District supports the American Library Association's Access to Resources and Services in the School Library Media Program, a copy of which is attached to this document. When library resources are reconsidered, the importance of the freedom to read/view/listen will be considered.
No parent has the right to control the reading, viewing, or listening materials of other people's children.
The item(s) in question will remain in circulation throughout the review process.
The major task before the reconsideration committee is to determine the appropriateness of the material in question for its intended educational use.
D. Resolution
1. Members of the reconsideration committee shall: a. Examine the district's Reconsideration of Instructional Materials policy and the Selection of Instructional Materials Philosophy, and the Guidelines for the Selection of Library Resources b. Examine the Request for Reconsideration of Library Resources form c. Read and evaluate the item(s) in question d. Read reviews of the item(s) in question e. Discuss the challenged material in the context of the educational program and intended audience for which it was selected f. Form opinions based on the resource as a whole, not on passages or selections taken out of context g. Discuss the challenged item(s) with the complainant as needed h. Reach a decision:
to retain the item,
to retain the item with specific restrictions, or
to remove the item
i. Complete the Report on the Reconsideration of Library Resource form within 15 working days of the first meeting
2. The chairperson of the Reconsideration Committee will discuss and file the report with the principal, who will forward a copy to the superintendent of schools.
3. The principal will send a copy of the report to the complainant, and will discuss the report further, if requested.
4. The principal will also send copies of the report to members of the Reconsideration Committee.
5. The complainant shall have the right to appeal the decision of the Reconsideration Committee first to the superintendent of schools and then to the School Board.
Reconsideration of Library Resources/Instructional Materials Procedure
I. Informal Reconsideration
A. Persons wishing to make a complaint regarding library resources will be asked to bring their complaint to the principal or the librarian.B. Internet resources are not subject to reconsideration under these guidelines. The internet is largely unregulated, and not all of the information it carries is suitable for school children. Although the district subscribes to a filtering service that blocks much inappropriate material, the Technology Use Policy and the Guidelines for Acceptable Use of the Internet represent an understanding on the part of the student and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) that the School District does not control the contents of the internet.
C. Upon meeting with the complainant, the principal or librarian will first attempt to resolve the issue informally.
II. Formal Reconsideration
A. In the event of a formal request for reconsideration, these steps will be taken:B. Reconsideration Committee
- Upon receipt of a completed Request for Reconsideration of Library Resources form, the principal will:
a. Appoint a reconsideration committee, to include the following members:- building level administrator
- one member of the school teaching staff of the appropriate subject or grade level
- the school's certified librarian
- one member of the community
- one member of the student body (if challenged material is at the Middle or High school level)
b. Name a chairperson of the consideration committee.c. Arrange for a meeting of the reconsideration committee to take place within 10 working days after the complaint is received by the principal.
2. The reconsideration committee is charged with a thorough review of the challenged resource, and will decide whether or not it conforms to the principles of selection as outlined in the
Guidelines for the Selection of Library Resources and other applicable policies and guidelines.
3. The reconsideration committee may also consult other district staff and/or community members who have relevant expertise.
C. Guiding Principles
D. Resolution
1. Members of the reconsideration committee shall:
a. Examine the district's Reconsideration of Instructional Materials policy and the Selection of Instructional Materials Philosophy, and the Guidelines for the Selection of Library Resources
b. Examine the Request for Reconsideration of Library Resources form
c. Read and evaluate the item(s) in question
d. Read reviews of the item(s) in question
e. Discuss the challenged material in the context of the educational program and intended audience for which it was selected
f. Form opinions based on the resource as a whole, not on passages or selections taken out of context
g. Discuss the challenged item(s) with the complainant as needed
h. Reach a decision:
- to retain the item,
- to retain the item with specific restrictions, or
- to remove the item
i. Complete the Report on the Reconsideration of Library Resource form within 15 working days of the first meeting2. The chairperson of the Reconsideration Committee will discuss and file the report with the principal, who will forward a copy to the superintendent of schools.
3. The principal will send a copy of the report to the complainant, and will discuss the report further, if requested.
4. The principal will also send copies of the report to members of the Reconsideration Committee.
5. The complainant shall have the right to appeal the decision of the Reconsideration Committee first to the superintendent of schools and then to the School Board.
Source:
Created by Jennifer Kelley.
http://www.hopkintonschools.org/hhs/library/selpol.html#anchor355943